No provincial cases of hantavirus since 2016: Manitoba Health

Public health officials are advising Manitobans that strains of the hantavirus present in this province are different from those linked to an outbreak on a Dutch-flagged cruise ship.

The strain of the virus present in Manitoba, known as Sin Nombre, spreads primarily through the inhalation of airborne particles present in dried rodent droppings, urine or saliva. It is not known to spread from person-to-person, and there have been no reported infections in the province since 2016, Manitoba Health said in a news release Tuesday.

The strain identified in the cruise ship outbreak originates in South America and is known as Andes virus. It is not found in Manitoba rodents and no known cases or contacts associated with the cruise have been identified in the province, the release said.

Three passengers died during an outbreak on the cruise ship, while others were infected or quarantined.